GRMFBS CH308

After Zhan Jinli left, Ghost King Wan Yan eagerly headed straight for his house.

Ghost King Lin Yuan had agreed anyway, so there was no need to go along with him. He had acquaintances at their place too.

Ghost King Wan Yan was very familiar with the Nether Path leading to this residential compound—he still remembered having super delicious chicken wings here and dropped by from time to time. Emerging from this specific Nether Path led right to where he had eaten those tasty chicken wings last time!

Hehehe, he only recently learned that it was Chongming’s culinary craft. He wondered if he could freeload a couple of bites again… They were all old acquaintances anyway.

Even if he couldn’t mooch off Chongming, mooching off Bai Ze’s cooking would be wonderful too~

Ghost King Wan Yan popped out of the Nether Path full of anticipation.

[Sniff, sniff, sniff, what is this smell, meow-wu?]

Ghost King Wan Yan didn’t manage to hit the brakes in time.

A familiar pair of feline eyes glared fixedly at Ghost King Wan Yan, who had just stepped out from the shadows of the shrubbery.

“Meow-yowl!”

You annoying jerk! How did you follow me all the way here?!

Possessing astounding combat prowess, Xingxing charged right in to pick a fight.

Ghost King Wan Yan: …!!! Meow it all. How could he have forgotten about this little cat?

Ghost King Wan Yan bounded away and ran.

Even though he could pin Xingxing down with a single paw, he now knew he wasn’t actually a cat. How could a dignified Ghost King have the nerve to bully a little kitten?

Ahhh, thinking back on what he used to do… why did he ever hold a grudge against a little kitten? It was so childish, wuwuwu. Why did he get into fights with this wretched little cat back then? And why was he pinned down by Bai Ze and Ghost King Lin Yuan together every single time…

So humiliating, meow!!!

Ghost King Wan Yan dodged left and right, with Xingxing in hot pursuit.

Ghost King Wan Yan: …Being chased like this is so undignified, meow.

Maybe he should pin this wretched little cat down first. Wasn’t it just conquering a little kitten? He wouldn’t harm him; he’d just establish his status as the boss cat first, sparing himself from getting hissed at whenever he visited in the future.

Ghost King Wan Yan turned around and raised a paw, getting ready to subdue Xingxing.

[Ahhh! Why is Ghost King Wan Yan here? Crap, they can’t start fighting; Xingxing definitely can’t beat him.]

[Is this that deranged Ghost King Wan Yan? Why did he come along to be a third wheel again and again?]

Ghost King Wan Yan froze.

Meow meow meow? Why are Bai Ze and Deep Shadow here too?!

Ghost King Wan Yan whipped around and continued dodging.

Meow it, meow it all!

As a dignified Ghost King, he couldn’t actually fight a kitten, especially right under the eyes of people he knew.

Meow-wu—

What kind of rotten inner monologue was that from Deep Shadow?! Who’s deranged? Who’s acting as a third wheel… well, okay, maybe he really had been one before. But wait, no, based on first-come-first-served, he was clearly close with Bai Ze first!

“Xingxing, come back quickly!” Zhan Yan sprinted toward the cat battlefield.

Xingxing wouldn’t listen in the slightest. He felt that if they hadn’t stopped him, he would have beaten this annoying bad cat black and blue and driven him away long ago.

Ghost King Wan Yan, overhearing Xingxing’s inner thoughts: …

Heh.

He leaped straight into Zhan Yan’s arms. I won’t fight. I won’t bully a stupid little kitten.

Xingxing’s pupils dilated wide, his whiskers quivering with fury. “Meow-yowl—!”

Zhan Yan, having caught Ghost King Wan Yan on instinct: …

Ghost King Wan Yan turned back to look at Xingxing: Bleh bleh bleh.

Xingxing sprang into the air from where he stood, launching himself right toward Zhan Yan’s embrace.

Zhan Yan swiftly shoved Ghost King Wan Yan over to Gu Jiancheng beside him and caught Xingxing.

Ghost King Wan Yan, who had been passed off before he could even register what happened: …

Gu Jiancheng, who unexpectedly found an entire Ghost King dropped into his arms: …

Man and cat stared blankly at each other.

[I really don’t want to hold this deranged Ghost King.]

Ghost King Wan Yan: Heh! Do you think I want you holding me? I’m getting down right now!

[But Yan Yan asked for help, and I can’t let him fight with Xingxing again. I’ll just hold him for now. If Ghost King Wan Yan still wants to cause trouble, I’ll restrain him first. If all else fails, I’ll just beat him up.]

Ghost King Wan Yan: …

Meow it. He couldn’t beat Deep Shadow!

Zhan Yan was currently coaxing Xingxing. “Xingxing is the best-behaved, right? We won’t fight, no fighting. How about I make you something tasty when we get back?”

Xingxing meowed and whined, complaining endlessly.

Ghost King Wan Yan: …

I didn’t do anything! The moment I showed up, you chased me all over the place—how do you have the nerve to complain?!

Zhan Yan: “I know, I know. Xingxing is the most amazing.”

Ghost King Wan Yan felt a pang of sorrow watching this and turned his face away. Clearly I came first! Wuwuwu, Bai Ze doesn’t remember him anymore!

Under the current circumstances, continuing with the square dancing was out of the question. Zhan Yan carried Xingxing home.

Gu Jiancheng carried Ghost King Wan Yan as they walked back together.

[Why is Ghost King Wan Yan so well-behaved today?]

Ghost King Wan Yan: …Hmph!

After returning, Gu Jiancheng halted outside the courtyard gate.

He looked down at Ghost King Wan Yan. Ghost King Wan Yan looked up at him.

[Maybe I should just release him back into the wild right here.]

Ghost King Wan Yan: ???

Gu Jiancheng placed Ghost King Wan Yan on the ground, stepped into the courtyard, shut the gate, and locked it—all in one fluid motion.

Ghost King Wan Yan: !!!

Villain!!!

Ghost King Wan Yan bounded up, leaping over into the courtyard.

Zhan Yan and Gu Jiancheng had already entered the house, the door shutting behind them.

Ghost King Wan Yan: QAQ

So wronged!

Zhan Yan told Gu Jiancheng to soothe Xingxing first, while he went into the kitchen to start cooking. One unseasoned portion of cat food, and another standard serving of stir-fried pork with hot peppers.

Both were quick dishes. The chili peppers were fast to wash, and the meat had already been thawed earlier; once sliced thin, it fried up in no time.

Gu Jiancheng entered the kitchen to fetch the cat food for Xingxing. Seeing that small plate of stir-fried pork with hot peppers, he felt the portion size looked a bit off.

Zhan Yan popped a slice of meat into his mouth, whispering softly: “Keep Xingxing properly occupied; don’t let him come looking for me.”

Gu Jiancheng nodded while chewing on the slice of meat.

Hiding behind the bushes in the courtyard, Ghost King Wan Yan rested his chin dejectedly on his forepaws. Boohoo, Bai Ze doesn’t remember him. Right now, in Bai Ze’s heart, he was just a mentally deranged cat Ghost King. But who told the things he did before to be so bizarre? Back then, he truly believed he was a cat… Boohoo…

The side door clicked open abruptly.

Ghost King Wan Yan twitched his ears and saw Zhan Yan walking out. He turned his head away. Hmph! How could Bai Ze like that wretched little cat more than him!

[Ghost King Wan Yan is hiding at Latitude 36°44′ N, Longitude 112°32′ E.]

The overly precise melon entry wasn’t necessary, but that didn’t matter; Zhan Yan had his minimap.

Zhan Yan walked toward the prominent little green dot on the map, squatted in front of the bushes, and popped open the container lid.

The savory aroma of stir-fried pork with hot peppers drifted out.

Ghost King Wan Yan involuntarily started gulping down saliva. Gulp. So fragrant!

Zhan Yan whispered softly: “Can I pay back the feast I promised you slowly, little by little?”

There was no sound from the shrubbery.

“Tell me whatever you want to eat, and I’ll make whatever you order, okay? You can eat way more varieties than Xingxing.”

A little cat head rustled out from the bushes.

Ghost King Wan Yan stared at the stir-fried pork with hot peppers inside the container. The green peppers were vibrant with slight blistered sear marks, and the meat had been sliced against the grain, cooked to absolute perfection so that one could imagine its tender texture just by looking at it. A thin glaze of reddish-brown sauce coated the surface. The savory, fresh, and spicy flavors burrowed persistently into his nose.

Gulp.

The cat buried his head and ate heartily, his tail involuntarily swishing with pure delight.

Squatting in front of Ghost King Wan Yan and watching him, Zhan Yan couldn’t help but curve his eyes into a smile.

[So cute.]

Ghost King Wan Yan’s tail paused, then began wagging significantly faster.

[Sigh…] Zhan Yan felt a tiny bit troubled.

[What a headache. How can I get Ghost King Wan Yan and Xingxing on better terms?]

Ghost King Wan Yan twitched his ears. Forget it, I’ll figure out a way; I won’t lower myself to argue with a little kitten!

Having finished his stir-fried pork with hot peppers, Ghost King Wan Yan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. Wasn’t it just winning over a little kitten? What was so hard about that? As long as he listened closely to what Xingxing wanted, he would turn this foolish little cat into his loyal minion in no time! When that time came, he could visit whenever he pleased~

The courtyard gate swung open abruptly.

Zhan Jinli walked in—tonight happened to be his turn to come home.

The moment he entered, he spotted his brother and Ghost King Wan Yan squatting together in the dark courtyard: “What are you two doing?”

Zhan Yan: “…Ge, keep your voice down!”

Too late; Xingxing had already heard it.

The instant Gu Jiancheng heard Zhan Jinli’s voice, he soundproofed the room. But having just engaged in a chase against Ghost King Wan Yan, the little cat was on maximum alert. Although he couldn’t hear clearly who was speaking or what was said, he suddenly realized Zhan Yan hadn’t returned for a while.

Paying no heed to Gu Jiancheng, Xingxing sprang smoothly into the air to paw the door open.

With his exceptional feline night vision, the little cat instantly spotted Zhan Yan and Ghost King Wan Yan squatting outside on the ground, along with a food container between the man and cat wafting with the aroma of food.

Xingxing: !!! “Meow-yowl!” Bad cat!

Zhan Jinli: … Crap. I agreed to let Ghost King Wan Yan come over, but forgot he had bad blood with Xingxing.

Ghost King Wan Yan leaped high into the air, landing straight in Zhan Jinli’s arms.

Xingxing: “Mee-yee-yowl—!”

Zhan Yan reacted swiftly, catching Xingxing in his arms. “Ge, hurry up and go!”

Holding Ghost King Wan Yan, Zhan Jinli beat a hasty retreat.

[Why did Ghost King Wan Yan start brawling with Xingxing? Could it be that he hasn’t fully recovered yet and still thinks he’s a cat?]

Ghost King Wan Yan: “…I do not!” He hadn’t done anything, okay? It was that petty, wretched cat who came charging up to pick a fight!

Zhan Jinli stared at Ghost King Wan Yan for a moment and sighed. “Let’s figure something out.”

On the other side, Xingxing glared accusingly at Zhan Yan, his round eyes burning with righteous indignation. “Meow-wu!” Liar!

Zhan Yan earnestly coaxed the cat: “He promised he won’t fight with you anymore in the future and wants to be friends, which is why I made food for him. See, didn’t he refrain from fighting the entire time today?”

Zhan Yan unleashed his full arsenal of nonsense and sweet-talking skills, once again successfully soothing Xingxing. Phew! That really wasn’t easy. This way, Xingxing wouldn’t chase Ghost King Wan Yan around to pick fights next time.

After a while, Zhan Jinli returned.

Zhan Yan: “Where’s Ghost King Wan Yan?”

Zhan Jinli: “He headed back first.”

He had brainstormed with Ghost King Wan Yan for quite a while. Xingxing was a cat; though very clever, he operated entirely on feline logic, so they definitely couldn’t expect him to take the initiative to reconcile with Ghost King Wan Yan.

Ghost King Wan Yan claimed that as long as Xingxing didn’t brawl with him, things would be simple. This foolish kitten thought of nothing besides eating and playing—how hard could making friends with him be?

Zhan Jinli: “What toys do you plan to buy?”

Ghost King Wan Yan: “I’ll commission someone to custom-make a few types.”

Zhan Jinli: “Xingxing’s toys are crafted by Suiru.”

Ghost King Wan Yan: … Surely there must be regular cat toys he hasn’t played with before? “There are so many kinds of cat toys nowadays; I’ll buy a bunch of different ones…”

Zhan Jinli added: “Ghost King Tie Lao commissioned the Artisan to make toys for you before. To study cat toys, Suiru bought every variety available on the market for Xingxing to play with.”

Ghost King Wan Yan: … “Find some novel food?”

Zhan Jinli: “Most of his cat food is prepared by my dad.”

Ghost King Wan Yan: … Damn it! How does he eat even better than me!

The two great Ghost Kings looked at each other in defeat.

Zhan Jinli: “How about you head back to cultivate for a bit? Once you recover further and shift into a different body size, Xingxing won’t recognize you anymore.”

Ghost King Wan Yan: … Fine then.

Zhan Yan had read through the whole melon entry and grasped the full picture. Ghost King Wan Yan really got wronged. Maybe he should cook up extra treats for his brother to bring over to him? But he couldn’t say that out loud right now; Xingxing could understand.

Xingxing was currently hissing at Zhan Jinli.

Zhan Jinli: “…What’s wrong with him?”

Zhan Yan: “You’re getting along with Ghost King Wan Yan, so he’s mad.”

Zhan Jinli looked at his brother. You fed Ghost King Wan Yan too.

Zhan Yan: “The two of us are different.” He had been acquainted with Ghost King Wan Yan long before Xingxing and Ghost King Wan Yan had any conflicts. Besides, the bad blood between Xingxing and Ghost King Wan Yan didn’t start because of him.

Xingxing’s logic was straightforward: Back then, seeing Ghost King Wan Yan pounce straight toward his lowest-ranking pooper-scooper, he fought Ghost King Wan Yan specifically to protect that lowest-ranking pooper-scooper. Every time they met afterward, Ghost King Wan Yan was on bad terms with the lowest-ranking pooper-scooper. He had clearly picked fights with Ghost King Wan Yan for Zhan Jinli’s sake, yet now Zhan Jinli had inexplicably made peace with Ghost King Wan Yan—what was that supposed to make him feel?

The little cat’s anger was entirely grounded and justified.

Zhan Yan helped translate.

Zhan Jinli: … There was no explaining this away. Forget it, ignore it for now.

He had returned carrying an important mission. They had learned from Candle Dragon that Yan Yan remained completely normal because he and Deep Shadow had achieved a “profound bond” as far back as last year. They needed to find out what this “profound bond” entailed and whether it was stable, lest the connection break one day.

However, if they didn’t give Yan Yan a reason, he would definitely play dumb.

Before Zhan Jinli returned, the others gave him emergency training: catch Yan Yan in a lie first, and then it would be easy to get him to tell the truth.

Zhan Jinli shifted his gaze onto Gu Jiancheng: “The two of you…”

Seeing his expression, Zhan Yan had a bad premonition. He swiftly shoved Xingxing into Zhan Jinli’s arms, scolding: “How could you just ignore him? Xingxing stood up for you so loyally!”

Zhan Jinli looked down, meeting Xingxing’s aggrieved, furious round eyes.

Zhan Jinli looked back up: “No, wait, that…”

Zhan Yan lifted the hissing Xingxing from Zhan Jinli’s arms so they stared eye-to-eye: “If you don’t coax him right now, you won’t be able to soothe him later!”

Zhan Jinli: …

With his claws safely sheathed, Xingxing pushed against him with his paws, meowing in indignant accusation: “Meow-wu!”

Zhan Jinli felt inexplicably guilty: “Um, Xingxing…”

A few minutes later, Zhan Jinli’s communicator buzzed. Snapping out of coaxing the cat, Zhan Jinli unlocked the communicator.

His parents were asking about the situation in the four-person family group chat.

Zhan Jinli: Ah… he completely forgot.

Looking up, his brother and Gu Jiancheng had already retreated to their rooms, leaving dinner for him on the table.

Zhan Jinli: “…”

Zhan Suiru understood him best: “I told you Ge wouldn’t manage it.”

—

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